In my experience, most kids (and adults) who have a panic attack in a cave, really didn't want to go caving in the first place. They only went out of peer pressure (the whole scout troop is going!) or because someone convinced them everything would be "just fine." Caving isn't for everybody, never make someone go who doesn't want to. I can tell you right now I don't ever want to be put in a shark cage, and if you make me, I will likely panic

If someone enters a caver voluntarily, and then panics, refer to Cavemud's advice.

Nothing's as precious as a hole in the ground. -Midnight Oil

"Alright, who let Bonny on Cavechat? Is there a manager I can speak with?" -- that Bartlett guy

This is some great advice. Have you ever had a kid "act" claustrophobic but claimed everything is alright. Had a kids once like to hang out near the gated entrance, He said he was good and didn't want to leave, but didn't spend much time beyond twilight.

In 20 years of taking scouts and others I can only recall one claustrophobic kid. The situation was handled just as Cavemud suggested. There have been a few kids and adults who became too cold or tired to continue and they were likewise escorted out of the cave. All this illustrates why I believe there is no such thing as overkill in the ratio of cavers to non-cavers on such trips. The group should be able to continue with ample caver supervision even if 2 or 3 leaders are asked to escort members out of the cave. On occasions when I did not feel we had a safe ratio, I have made it clear to the group from the start, the trip will be aborted if anyone needs to exit early.